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Published by Rio Hondo College, 2017-06-20 14:58:13

Presidents Update - May 2017

Presidents Update - May 2017

COVERING MAY 2017

President’s Message

May at Rio Hondo College simply can’t be beat. Rio Hondo College community is honored to have
Our campus echoes with the sounds of success played a part in making these opportunities available.
every year at this time, when so many of our
students are completing the first stage of their Access to a college education is one of the greatest gifts we can
college careers or wrapping up the skills training give our community. In May, Rio Hondo College acted upon that ideal in
needed to embark on new careers. a new and concrete fashion, announcing a program that will cover first-year
tuition for 2017 high school graduates of District area public and private high
It’s a tangible feeling, this excitement, and never schools. Called the Rio Hondo College Promise, the program features special
support services, including priority registration and enrollment in our Summer
more present than at our annual commencement Bridge Academy, which helps students acclimate to the demands of college.

Teresa Dreyfuss celebration. The ceremony evokes a powerful This month’s President’s Update also highlights outstanding students,
sense of the endless possibilities that are scholarship recipients and our spring efforts to support our students.

available to our students, no matter what path they pursue. On behalf of

our talented educators and dedicated staff and administration, the

Hundreds Graduate from Rio Hondo College

An attorney from Downey who has helped helm Rio Hondo College’s That’s when he began to dream of attending UCLA – and succeeded, though
innovative Pathway to Law School program urged graduates at the he said he had trouble finding his place.
College’s 54th annual Commencement Ceremony on May 25 to seek out Later, at Loyola Law School, Perez again struggled to find his place – so much
tough challenges because they bring equally great rewards. so that he dropped out during his first try. Later, he said, he learned to forge
Ricardo Perez, a civil lawyer who often advocates on behalf of children’s and connections with classmates and his community. Continued on page 2
immigrant rights, told graduates how President John F. Kennedy set a goal for
landing on the Moon – not because it was easy, but because it was hard.
“Think about that for a moment. Kennedy was choosing to go to the Moon,
not because it was easy, but because it was hard,” Perez said. “That is
powerful. As I stand before you, I say, let us adopt Kennedy’s words. Let us
make them words we live by. Let us do things and set goals, not because
they are easy, but because they are hard.”
Perez shared his journey from Mexico to the U.S., his youth as an
undocumented child living in a gang-dominated neighborhood, and
his successful efforts to attend UCLA and law school.
“We were from a small Mexican town,” he said. “We left our
families, our friends, our jobs, our schools, our entire way of life.”
In America, his family lived in fear of being discovered and deported,
and contended with gangs that claimed the lives of close friends. He
started work at age 13 – as a birthday party clown, and later helped his
family sell clothes at the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

IN THIS Hundreds Graduate Fire, EMT, Nursing Students College Provides
ISSUE from Rio Hondo College........................ 1, 2 Join Forces for Bomb Simulation............ 5 Food Help during Finals............................ 8
Board Report............................................... 3 Guardian Scholars Program Raises College Announces Free
Student Pursues Legal Career................. 4 Awareness of Foster Youth Issues.......... 6 Tuition, Student Support Plan.................. 8
Rose Hills Donation Supports Veterans..... 4 College Honors 52 Save the Date............................................. 9
Students Sign College Intent Letters...... 4 Outstanding Students................................ 6
Students Overcome Challenges.............. 4 54 Students Receive 75 Scholarships.... 7

Hundreds Graduate from Rio Hondo College (Continued)

Degree numbers climb Lopez with Sheena Castillo, Vanessa Heffernan, Cynthia Gonzalez, and
Christopher Chavez following this summer.
This year, Rio Hondo College
students earned 1,981 degrees Nursing, public safety
in summer/fall 2016 and spring 2017.
The number includes 742 degrees for Students in Rio Hondo College’s nursing program received pins on Wednesday,
transfer – which guarantee admission
to Cal State University campuses. May 24 to mark their success. In all, 75 students received associate degrees
in nursing, 24 received vocational nursing certifications and more than
“Each year at Rio Hondo College, we see an acceleration in accomplishments 65 received certifications this year from Rio Hondo College’s several nursing
from our talented and dedicated students,” Superintendent/President Teresa assistant programs.
Dreyfuss said. “It’s a great confirmation of our mission to provide students Many of the students with associate degrees are already enrolled in
with access and opportunity as they pursue their higher-education dreams.” bachelor’s programs through partnerships with California State University,
Los Angeles, Azusa Pacific University and University of Phoenix.
Class valedictorian Jianshu Chi (pictured above) immigrated to the U.S. from Rio Hondo College is also home to acclaimed public safety training programs,
China at age 17. He plans to study computer science at Southern Taiwan which hold their graduations throughout the year. This year, 29 police cadets
University for Science and Technology before pursuing a Bachelor of Science graduated in January; 40 more are expected to graduate in August. The Fire
degree at UC Berkeley. Academy will graduate 36 cadets, the EMT program will graduate 89 students
and the Wildland Fire Academy will graduate 40 cadets this year.
The ceremony also marked the graduation of the second cohort of students
in Rio Hondo College’s Pathway to Law School program. This year, 15 students
are matriculating to such universities as UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine,
UC Riverside, Cal State Los Angeles, and Cal State Long Beach for the
second stage of their three-part journey to law school.

Dance and Pathway to Law School

This spring marked the first graduation of students with Associate of Arts
degrees in dance, one of the College’s newest programs. With mortarboards
decorated with dance terminology, pointe shoes hanging from some of their
necks, the graduating dancers literally danced their way to the podium to
receive their diplomas. Dr. Alyson Cartagena, (pictured below) who directs
the program, held a sign reading “First in Dance” with footprints of a dancer
standing in a ballet “first position.” The first class includes Joel David
Carrillo-Espinoza, Melissa Nicole Fuentes, William Neal Trevilla, and Ashley

|2 2

Board Report Trustees noted several retirees in May, as well:
 Dr. Manuel Baca, who joined the College in 1982, served a faculty
Rio Hondo College students studying social work will find it easier to
complete their bachelor degrees at Whittier College under a new pact member, interim superintendent/president, director of EOP&S, vice
between the two colleges that guarantees admission, waives application president of student services and interim dean for several departments.
fees for 10 students and provides scholarships of $500 to $2,000.  Adele Enright, hired in 1990 as a librarian/professor, retires after
Board members approved the plan unanimously at their May 10 meeting, 27 years of service.
along with two other efforts to support students:  Steve Koell, hired part time in 1981 and full time in 1981 as a reading
 Trustees established priority registration status for students who sign professor, retires after 36 years of service.
 Henry Sauceda, hired in 1979 as a counselor/professor, retires after
up for the new Rio Hondo College Promise, a support program that will 38 years of service.
provide free first-year tuition for 2017 graduates of area public and  Jan La Turno, hired in 1989 as a full-time mathematics professor, retires
private high schools. after 28 years.
 The board expanded a statement of support for students, adding in  Stephanie Wells, hired in 1989 as librarian/professor, retires after 28 years.
language that clarifies support for students who are transgender and Trustees also recognized 10 staff and administrators who completed the
gender non-conforming. Rio Hondo College Leadership Academy: Karl Aragundi, Ethel Battles,
Trustees also named long-time Career Center Counselor/Coordinator Belen Enrique Bravo, Maria Carmona-Herrera, Arely Castaneda, Ruthie Flores
Torres-Gil as the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award, which Retana, Andrea Lassiter, Moises Mata, Sylvia Viramontes Bunday, and
will be presented at the June board meeting. Torres-Gil is retiring this spring Janice Willis – all members of Cohort VI.
after 29 years as a counselor and professor. Also at the meeting, counselor Troy Flores-Olson gave a presentation on his
sabbatical efforts to improve career-preparation guidance, especially for the
rising number of millennials served by Rio Hondo College. The effort included
the creation of a video for students who are undecided about their majors,
industry field trips for students, a career collaborative pilot program and a
self-directed career guidance tutorial.
Board members also received a presentation on the College’s emergency
operations plans and recognized staff members of the El Paisano student
newspaper for their recent success in a state journalism contest.

|3 3

Student Pursues Legal Career Students Overcome Challenges

Matthew Ruiz, a Rio Hondo College honored three students at its 54th Commencement Ceremony, recognizing a
participant in dedication to achieving their higher-education goals that propelled them past significant obstacles.
Rio Hondo College’s
Pathway to Law Natasha Rubalcava
School program,
landed an internship Mired in gang culture, Rubalcava was shot at, stabbed and landed in
at the Los Angeles juvenile detention centers. Her life was at risk daily. But, after the birth
County Office of of her daughter, she pledged to leave the life of violence and danger to
the District Attorney this spring after hearing ensure she would have a legacy to pass on to her daughter.
prosecutor Maria Ramirez speak at the College. Unsure if she had the academic tools to succeed in college, this single
The Pathway to Law School program helps mother enrolled at Rio Hondo College to learn what she could accomplish.
students connect with four-year universities The answer: A lot.
to complete their degrees and then secure Rubalcava learned she was much smarter than she had given herself credit for. She signed up
admission to law schools. for Extended Opportunity Program and Services/Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education
Ruiz has been accepted to UC Irvine, (EOP&S/CARE), which provide students in need with support and understanding. With their help,
Loyola Marymount University and UCLA. she achieved a 4.0 GPA, held a part-time job, tended to her daughter, attended workshops, and
volunteered as a motivational speaker to help other youths find better paths for themselves.
Rose Hills Donation She graduated with honors as part of the Alpha Gamma Sigma, a statewide community college
Supports Veterans honors society. She will pursue a degree in social work at Whittier College with the goal of
giving back to the community by running a nonprofit organization for domestic violence and
Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary made vulnerable youth.
a $2,500 donation to the Rio Hondo College
Foundation in May to support veterans services. The Joseph Chen
memorial park, which neighbors Rio Hondo College,
has made similar gifts in the last few years. Joseph Chen didn’t have the grades in high school to land in a four-year
university. Even if he had, he had no idea what he wanted to study.
Students Sign College That’s when Rio Hondo College came into the picture.
Intent Letters In addition to pursuing the courses he thought he had to take, Chen
decided to pursue a heartfelt passion for automotive technology. He
Rio Hondo College beach volleyball players enrolled in a class taught by Professor John Frala, who he says sparked
Carleigh Cruz, and Paula Alfred signed letters a realization that he could have a fulfilling career in the field.
of intent in May to attend Hope International Make that a firestorm. Chen pursued the program’s A.S. in alternative fuels and fuel cells,
University. The duo will play volleyball under earning his degree with a GPA of 3.28.
scholarships to the university. Now, with the backing of Frala and his colleagues, he is up for a job with alternative-fuels
innovator Tesla Motors.
Chen is graduating with his A.A., but he won’t be disappearing from Rio Hondo’s campus. He is
among the first students who are enrolling in the College’s historic Bachelor of Science program
in automotive technology.

Jessica Nguyen

Nguyen, a fall 2016 graduate, came to the U.S. as a sophomore in high
school from Vietnam. Together, with her sister, she left her parents and her
home country to seek a better life. When she arrived, Nguyen spoke no
English, but didn’t let that deter her from pursuing a dream to attend UCLA.
She enrolled at Rio Hondo College and became part of the EOP&S
program. Even while holding down a full-time job in a nail salon, she
worked feverishly to earn good grades even as she continued to build
her language skills.
Nguyen’s work paid off as she earned a nearly perfect 3.9 GPA – earning only one B at
Rio Hondo – and secured transfer admission to UCLA. She hopes to help family members who
remained in Vietnam once she obtains her bachelor’s degree.

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Fire, EMT, Nursing Students Join Forces for Bomb Simulation

More than 100 students from Rio Hondo College’s nursing program,
EMT training, theatre arts program and fire academy joined efforts
May 12 to respond to a staged crisis drill that required them to translate
classroom learning into on-the-job performance.

The fifth annual crisis response simulation – held twice on the same day
to accommodate the high number of participants – tested students’ ability
to handle a bomb simulation. Four Rio Hondo College theatre arts students
played the part of the injured.

About 90 nursing students accessed and cared for the wounded. Eight fire
academy cadets conducted ground operations to rescue trapped victims and
12 EMT cadets transported the injured to the Roadrunner simulation hospital
for treatment.
RIO IN THE NEWS! Watch NBC
Following the drill, participants coverage of Rio Hondo College's crisis
analyzed the scenario in a response scenario.
debriefing session.

|5 5

Guardian Scholars Program Raises Awareness of Foster Youth Issues

Rio Hondo College held a series of events in May to mark Foster Care  A student panel of former foster youths inspired attendees to take an
Awareness Month, including specialized training, an open house on services, extra step to improve the lives of foster youths by showing care and
a barbecue, talks on support for foster youth and becoming a foster parent. willingness to help.
The events, held throughout the month, focused on providing information on
foster youth issues in a fun, informative and educational way for students,  Lastly, the seventh annual “Children are the Future” one-day conference
staff and community partners: took place at the Doubletree Hotel in Whittier. The event honored
 The Office of the Guardian Scholars Program, Youth Empowerment caregivers and professionals who make a difference in a child’s life by
staying informed and involved in their well-being.
Strategies for Success and the Foster & Kinship Care Education Program
held an open house and barbecue to share information about services
available to foster youth and foster parents.
 Staff and faculty members also received information on the steps to
become a foster/resource parenty. Students and staff were invited to
express their emotions through therapeutic painting co-sponsored with
Psychological Services.
 A training session provided information on how to identify commercial
sexual exploitation of children.
 Guest speaker Sade Burrell shared key elements for supporting foster
youth throughout their educational journey to increase access, retention
and graduation.

College Honors 52 Outstanding Students

Rio Hondo College honored 52 students with Outstanding Student Awards on May 5. Each student received a certificate and a $100 check, thanks to the
Rio Hondo College Foundation. Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss gave welcoming remarks at the event.

|6 6

54 Students Receive 75 Scholarships

Fifty-four Rio Hondo College students received more than 75 scholarships this spring, thanks to the Rio Hondo College Foundation. The awards were given out
to a packed Campus Inn audience of students and their families on May 19.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Joanna Schilling, who offered opening remarks, thanked family members for supporting their students.

Rio Hondo College Foundation President John Peel encouraged students to do their research, and to remain curious and generous.

“We need scholarships in the future, and if you remain curious and generous, you’ll be able to become future donors,” Peel said.

He also thanked the donors who helped make the gifts possible.

Recipients:

 A Taste of Rio Transfer Scholarship: Kassandra Cuellar Sha Mie Maralit, Zackary Mejia, Mercedes Navarro, Adriana Ortega,
 American Association of University Women: Oralia Alcorta, Henry Perez, Chanel Rangel, Rose Rivas, Yarisma Rocha, Arely Rodriguez,
Leslie Rosales, Natasha Rubalcava, Dianne Saldava, Dat Trang, Naomy
Sandra Herrera, Leah Nolden Villanueva, Paul Anthony Reilly
 BC McCabe Foundation Nursing Scholarship: Monica Gonzalez, Ponlok  Rio Hondo College Follett Bookstore Scholarship: Natalie Felin Dovales-
Flores, Luisa Mesones
Huot, Lorraine Montana  Rio Hondo College CalWORKs Scholarship: Brenda Yaneth Hernandez
 BC McCabe Foundation Veterans Scholarship: Ponlok Huot, Erik Ramirez  Rio Hondo College Management and Confidential Council Scholarship:
 Charles and Bonnie Isaacs Memorial Spring Scholarship: Tyerra Starr Boyd, Katheryne Lilianna Castillo
 Rio Hondo College Counselors’ Open Door Scholarship: Faustino
Germayne Castillo Gonzales Barrales
 Denos (Gus) Carras Memorial Scholarship: Peter Camacho Jr.  Rio Hondo College Counselors’ Transfer Scholarship: Mercedes Navarro,
 Don L. Jenkins Biology Scholarship: Dianne Saldana Tyerra Starr Boyd
 Harry L. Keats Memorial Scholarship: Kassandra Cuellar  Rio Hondo College Faculty Association Scholarship: Natalie Dovales-
 Henderson Family Scholarship: Tyerra Starr Boyd Flores, Melody Greer, Jason Hoang, Maral Kalayci, Yarisma Rocha,
 Jean Korf Theatre Arts Scholarship: Ajianna Covington Natasha Rubalcava, Rose Rivas, Dianne Saldana, Sofia Toroledo, Tuan Vo
 Jean McAndrews Bilar Memorial Scholarship: Marisol Avelar  Rio Hondo College Emeriti Scholarship Luisa Mesones, Naomy Villanueva
 Library Scholarship: Jorge Espinoza  Soñando al Otro Lado del Rio Scholarship: Faustino Gonzalez Barrales
 Osher Initiative for California Community Colleges Scholarship: Oralia  Ted Snyder Journalism Scholarship: Malissa Myers
 Wetsman Family Anthropology Scholarship: Jasmine Sanchez
Alcorta, Angelica Becerra, Tyerra Boyd, Yadira Castaneda, Germayne  Rotary Club of Whittier Scholarship: Leah Nolden
Castillo, Brenda Coronel, Kassandra Cuellar, Natalie Dovales-Flores,
Jorge Espinoza, Arthur Flores, Hector Garcia, Andrew Gonzalez, Monica
Gonzalez, Melody Greer, Jaqueline Hernandez, Sandra Herrera, Ponlok
Huot, Maral Kalayci, Ashley Keasey, Yvette Lopez, Amy Mai-Gonzalez,

|7 7

College Provides Food Help during Finals

More than 50 Rio Hondo College staff members, administrators, faculty and student volunteers distributed
1,800 breakfast burritos, 475 boxes of pizza (by the slice!), 20 crates of fruit, hot coffee, juice and water as
well as 900 RHC-Care Packages to students before final exams.
The efforts, overseen by RHC Student Life and Student Equity programs, are designed to ensure students
and their families don’t go hungry.
Two local food pantries played a key role: Food Finders and Heart of Compassion provided the RHC Food
Access Task Force with about 2,400 pounds of packaged foods, fresh produce and personal hygiene products.
Food Finders delivered to the campus packaged pastas/rice, canned fruits/vegetables/meats/soups, an array
of healthy snack items and toothpaste. Heart of Compassion donated crates of soft drinks, granola bars and dry
goods, and a wide variety of fruits (bananas, oranges, cantaloupes, melons, mangos, and lemons).
Student Life and Student Equity will re-stock the RHC food pantry throughout the summer with
additional donations.
In the coming year, the task force will attempt to sustain the RHC food pantry with continuous pallets of foods
from local food partners and establish a sustainable distribution cycle for students in the fall semester.
For more information about the RHC Food Access Task Force, contact Ceci Rocha at the Student Equity
Office (562) 463-7066, or at [email protected].

College Announces Free Tuition, Student Support Plan

Some 200 high school students and area educators RIO IN THE NEWS! Click here to read
packed Rio Hondo College’s Wray Theater on May more about Rio Hondo's Free Tuition
4 for the College’s announcement of its Rio Hondo Announcement in ABC Eyewitness News.
College Promise, a program that provides free
first-year tuition to 2017 graduates of the area’s
public and private high schools.

Students cheered as Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss asked them their view of the
plan, which includes priority registration and support services. Other speakers included
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, a former Rio Hondo College trustee.

The Promise builds on a support program offered since 2011 to students from
El Monte and South El Monte called the El Monte Pledge.

The new effort builds on other innovative Rio Hondo College programs as
well, such as a Summer Bridge Academy that helps orient students to
the challenges of higher education, counseling, tutoring and other
academic support initiatives that have become a hallmark of
the College.

In addition to the Wray Theater presentation, the College held
a VIP reception with elected leaders.

|8 8

Connect with Us on Social Media Save
the Date
RHCRoadrunners
6 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 Board of Trustees meeting, Rio Hondo College
RioHondo_College

RioHondoCollege START RIO... GO ANYWHERE
Rio Hondo College YT Channel
bit.do/riohondocollege It’s time to apply and register!
#iLoveRioHondo
Summer
Serving the communities of
CLASSES BEGIN
Ÿ El Monte Ÿ Santa Fe Springs
June 5, 19 and July 10
Ÿ South El Monte Ÿ Whittier (Five summer sessions available)

Ÿ Pico Rivera Fall 2017

and portions of: Ÿ East Whittier* Open Registration Begins
Ÿ Norwalk Ÿ South Whittier*
Ÿ Downey Ÿ West Whittier* August 15
Ÿ La Mirada Ÿ Avocado Heights*
Ÿ City of Industry CLASSES BEGIN
Ÿ Los Nietos*
August 19

*Unincorporated communities within our District

Mission Statement

Rio Hondo College is committed to the success
of its diverse students and communities by
providing dynamic educational opportunities
and resources that lead to degrees, certificates,
transfer, career and technical pathways, basic
skills proficiency, and lifelong learning.

Schedule of classes available at

www.riohondo.edu

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